Retired professional footballer Keith Hicks and members of his family are about to embark on the ‘3 Points vs Cancer Challenge’.
They are to take part in three challenges – a run, walk and cycle – with the finish line at three matches involving Rochdale AFC.
The Hicks family – Keith, sons Graham and Dan, daughter-in-law Colette and grandson Oliver – will be running the 6.8 miles from Rochdale’s Crown Oil Arena to Boundary Park for Saturday’s derby.
They will then walk 20 miles from Rochdale to Altrincham for the Good Friday fixture and then on Easter Monday cycle the 51.9 miles from AFC Fylde to Rochdale.
Oldham, Altrincham and Rochdale have all granted permission for bucket collections for the Joe Thompson Appeal and Prostate Cancer UK.
Thompson is the former Rochdale player who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in November 2013 and currently battling the illness for a third time. He is trying to raise £250,000 for treatment and to pioneer a groundbreaking test to prevent recurrence.
Keith, who played for Oldham Athletic, Hereford United, Rochdale, Hyde United and Mossley, was diagnosed in 2020 after being persuaded to do so when PSA testing took place at Rochdale AFC.
He said: “I was informed that there were no issues from that test but following a second PSA test the following season was diagnosed with a Gleason 6 Prostate Cancer, which really knocked me.
“Since then, I have been treated extremely well by the NHS with actions including three monthly assessments now down to half yearly to reassure me that everything is fine.
“I am really glad that I took part in the PSA testing as I would be walking around unaware of my condition, not receiving the present attention but now looking to the future in a better frame of mind.
“I’m taking part in the run and walk to show that at 70 years of age I’m able to take part in regular exercise, which benefits me both physically and mentally, but the main message is that men over 50 should take a blood test, it could change men’s lives dramatically.”
Graham, who like his father also played for Rochdale, came up with the challenge as both his father and father-in-law Keith Haworth have both battle prostate cancer while his mother Kathryn has previously had breast cancer so the illness has touched the family.
Saturday’s run leaves Rochdale AFC at 9.30am for the 12.30pm kick off.
Keith says everyone is welcome to join them in part or for all of the challenges. He can be contacted on 07861 640958 or email Keith.hicks5@outlook.com
To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/Team-Thompson-against-cancer-again